Chapter 32: The Air of Mrs.
Lynton
It wasn’t long before Daphne left, and Davina also left early, leaving me and Kaitlyn in a
mess.
“I don’t think they’ll withdraw their investment,” I said, thinking about Fletcher, as Daphne had described. “Even if it’s for Davina, he’ll stabilize the situation.”
Kaitlyn wasn’t so sure. “So what if he does stabilize it? Today Davina can undermine us in front of everyone. Tomorrow, she could steal our hard work. In my opinion, we should start preparing for a backup plan.“”
Kaitlyn was talking about looking for other investors.
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But Leon didn’t seem too interested. Who else could we approach?
“Spencer has some connections. I’ll see if he can help.”
I was a little surprised. “You’re still in contact with him?”
Kaitlyn avoided my gaze, saying, “Well, he’s actually quite skilled when it comes to this kind of thing.”
Thinking about the project’s future, I agreed, “Alright, give it a try!”
For two straight days, Kaitlyn had been busy working with Spencer, a former figure in Sulu, with a wide network. He knew many foreign investors and promised to mediate for us.
Both Kaitlyn and I remained tense, not
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Chapter
allowing ourselves a moment of relaxation.
But just then, Duke’s phone call came again. “Mrs. Lynton, Mr. Lynton would like you and Ms. Hayes to come to Lynton Group immediately!”
It was a bit sudden.
I asked indirectly, “Did he say what it’s about?”
“He didn’t mention it, but by Mr. Lynton’s expression…”
Kaitlyn and I immediately felt the pressure.
This could mean anything, and we had no idea what Fletcher was planning.
Half an hour later, we arrived at the CEO’s office.
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When we pushed the door open, Fletcher was on the phone, speaking fluent Spanish, his words quick and full of technical jargon. I could barely follow the conversation, though his tone wasn’t very friendly.
After exchanging a look with Kaitlyn, we patiently stood by, waiting.
After a long while, Fletcher finally hung up the phone, gave us a faint glance, and asked, “Do you two know why I asked you to come here?”
“Mr. Lynton, please get straight to the point, I didn’t beat around the bush.
Fletcher twirled the pen in his hand, raising an eyebrow and saying, “I heard you two have been reaching out to new investors recently?”
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The news had somehow reached him.
“Heh, my company hasn’t even collapsed yet, and you’re already so eager to find a new backer?” Fletcher sneered. “Have you ever thought about it? Who would take over a project that Lynton Group doesn’t want?”
Both Kaitlyn and I sensed something ominous.
Then Fletcher continued, “Since neither of you seem sincere, we might as well terminate this collaboration.”
Kaitlyn and I were caught off guard by Fletcher’s words.
He had known about us approaching other investors beforehand, so why the sudden flare–up?
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Fletcher shot me a glance and said, “Times change.”
I was momentarily at a loss for words.
After all, money talked.
Kaitlyn, standing by, forced a smile. “Mr. Lynton, you know we’re just a small studio, nowhere near your big group. We-”
“When it comes to your company’s code of conduct,” Fletcher interrupted her, his tone chilly. “It really mirrors the personality of its leader.”
He glanced at me again and added, “The thing you’re best at is making backups.”
His sarcastic tone was unmistakably biting.
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A moment later, Duke escorted us out of the CEO’s office.
We were thrown out.
Kaitlyn was confused. “Fletcher doesn’t seem like the type to lack vision. Why did he suddenly turn on us?”
I also felt that Fletcher’s behavior today was out of character.
“Could it be that someone said something to him?” Kaitlyn mentioned that Davina had visited her office this morning and seemed to linger over the project files on her desk.
“It must be Davina who’s been adding fuel to the fire in front of Fletcher”
That seemed plausible.
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Cooperation inherently involved multiple
interests, and how could Davina willingly be on our side?
But if the collaboration were terminated, what benefits would it bring Davina?
I couldn’t make sense of it.
“What should we do? I don’t think Fletcher is joking, Kaitlyn’s expression grew serious. “If Lynton Group is really cutting off our support, we might be in big trouble.”
I rubbed my temples. “Let’s wait and see, and check with Mr. Wyman.”
Spencer got in touch with Kaitlyn the following afternoon. He regretfully informed us that the two foreign investors we had approached had caught wind of some rumors and were no longer willing to engage
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with us.
I thought back to Fletcher in his office that day, speaking flawless Spanish, and felt a surge of frustration.
When it came to strategy, he was certainly more skilled than us.
In the afternoon, Kaitlyn called me into her office and said, “Duke called. He said the termination will be arranged for the day after tomorrow.”
The company was in a critical situation.
I curled my fingers into a fist, remaining calm as I said, “We have to try one more time.”
“Are you going to see Daphne?” she asked.
I shook my head. “I’m going to see Davina.”
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In the café, Davina looked at me with her big, innocent eyes and asked, “Charlene, is there something you need?”
I ordered her a juice and slowly said, “I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors these past few days–Lynton Group is thinking about withdrawing their investment. Our project is most likely going to fall through.”
Davina remained calm. “It seems like Letch is really angry this time.”
“Yes,” I continued her line, “it’s because he cares about you, Davina. He doesn’t want to drag you into any trouble.”
Davina looked up. “Charlene, you flatter me.“”
Her words were humble, but the pride in her eyes couldn’t be hidden.
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I gently urged, “But the project belongs to everyone. Without it, Davina, you’ll suffer losses too, won’t you?”
“No big deal, Davina tilted her head. “Letch said it. Everyone’s heard that Lynton Group is getting into the mobile game industry, and many projects have approached us. There will definitely be something suitable.”
She was clearly refusing any compromise.
She was already taking on the airs of the Lynton Group’s CEO’s wife.
I nodded. “That’s true, but with your graduation approaching, finding a suitable project won’t be easy. And they may not have the capability I have. Since you’ve heard of me at Raven University, Davina, you should know that the name Charlene still means a
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lot, don’t you?”
I was subtly telling her that our game could bring her fame and recognition.
Davina laughed lightly. “Charlene, you’re really not modest at all.”
Now that we had reached this point, there was no point in beating around the bush, so I took out the printed document from my handbag and handed it to Davina.
She looked at me suspiciously and asked, “What’s this?”
“I’ve written down Daphne’s preferences in here,” I said with a slight smile,
understanding her well. “If you’re happy, then we’ll all be happy”
Davina’s pale face was filled with doubt.
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She probably wondered whether it was genuine.
I sighed inwardly.
Originally, I had planned to use this document to negotiate something with Fletcher in exchange for some benefits.
But I wasn’t in a hurry and waited for Davina to speak.
After a while, she finally placed the document into her bag and sighed, “Don’t worry, Charlene. In my opinion, Letch was just saying a few angry words. I’ll try to talk to him.”
Her calm, indifferent tone inexplicably stung
- me.
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Thinking back on the past few days, how Kaitlyn and I had been running all over the place because of money, while Davina seemed unaffected–it really was a different life for different people.
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